D-Day tribute display planned for seaside airshow

The Rolls-Royce Supermarine Spitfire and the P-51 Mustang will be part of this year's show

Historical aircraft will soar above a seaside town in a special tribute to mark this year's 80th anniversary of D-Day.

The Clacton Airshow will feature a specially commissioned Heritage War Flight featuring the Dakota, the Rolls-Royce Supermarine Spitfire and the P-51 Mustang.

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress the Sally B – the last remaining airworthy B-17 in Europe – will also take part.

The show, which takes place on 22 and 23 August, is one of the most popular events in Essex and regularly attracts in the region of 250,000 across the two days, organisers said.

The Navy Wings Heritage Flight will be bringing three aircraft that were part of the Fleet Air Arm, including the Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber biplane, the Westland Wasp anti-submarine helicopter and the Stinson Reliant.

Heritage aircraft from World War One will also be on show as part of the Great War Display Team and will include exhibitions by the Hawker Fury biplane, which served as a frontline fighter for the Royal Air Force in the 1930s.

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress the Sally B will feature in the show

Ivan Henderson, deputy leader of Tendring District Council, which is organising the show, said: "We’ve not had a line-up quite like this before – it really will be one for the airshow enthusiasts.

"There will be something for flight fans of all ages – from classic flights from a bygone era to super-fast jets.

"The historical significance of these aircraft is a fitting way to support the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day."